LOCAL cricket roundup Division 2A A SOLID performance from Sutton saw them off to a winning start at the weekend as they overcame Littleport II by three wickets. Sutton endured a torrid time in 2009 but were quick to banish those memories as they put th

LOCAL cricket roundup

Division 2A

A SOLID performance from Sutton saw them off to a winning start at the weekend as they overcame Littleport II by three wickets.

Sutton endured a torrid time in 2009 but were quick to banish those memories as they put the Littleport top order on the rack with their unyielding consistency.

Though Port were able to last their 40 overs, regular wickets from Sutton saw them finish on just 134, Stuart Wallace top scoring with 29. Robert Braybrooke starred with the ball for Sutton taking 2-31 from his eight over spell.

A nervy start with the bat threatened to spoil Sutton's day as Richard Scott took 3-16 for Littleport but a determined lower order effort from Chris Greaves (35*) saw them to victory.

A FRUGAL bowling display from Little Downham ensured they scored a comfortable 49-run win in their opening match of the season against Newmarket.

The home side looked to be up against it after a meagre display with the bat but they stormed to an unlikely win courtesy of some superb bowling from their pace attack.

Batting first on a reasonably settled pitch, Downham struggled against Newmarket's A Ozhakkal who made light work of the top order, taking 5-28 in his 10 over spell. Fortunately for Downham however, the staunch work of P Baker (64) ensured they reached 138-7 from their 40 overs.

Needing a little more than three-an-over Newmarket had time to build slowly but they failed to reckon with the mesmeric bowling of J White (5-25) and Baker (3-18) who tore through the visitors line-up to leave them at 89-9 at close of play.

A COMPETITIVE performance from Wilburton ultimately went unrewarded as they fell to a five-wicket loss against Wimblington.

Invited to bat first, the home side romped into a commanding position as openers Stuart Norman (43) and Gary Dewey put on 74 for the first wicket, the latter catching the eye with a trio of sixes in his 37.

Further down the order Andy Buller chipped in with 38 to see the home side on to 166-9 at the close of their innings.

Wimblington were in no mood to enjoy the afternoon sun when put into bat and they raced on to 45 from just nine overs as Wilburton struggled to stop the runs.

Debutant Rob Nightingale lifted the team temporarily with a decent five-over spell that yielded two wickets, but it wasn't to be for the home side as Wimblington reached their target in the 31st over.

SOHAM'S hopes of a dream start to the new season fell flat after they lost by 67 runs to Wisbech III.

A resurgent Soham side enjoyed a winning season in 2009 and hopes were high that they could carry their good form into a second season after a summer of recruitment.

Wisbech Town had other ideas though, and put on an impressive 242-5 from their 40 overs, scoring at a staggering six-an-over throughout. Keith Metcalfe (2-42) and Alexander French (2-54) were the pick of the Soham bowlers.

Nick Mingay's opening knock of 66, set the foundation for a strong reply from Soham but aside from a notable knock of 32 from Paul Skinner the visitors largely struggled to keep pace and were bowled out for 175 in the 36th over.

Premier League 1

FORDHAM tasted defeat for the first time at this level with a seven wicket loss at March.

The visitors were invited to bat first on a green pitch but aside from useful knocks of 55 by Gavin Harding and 60 by Graham Arnold, the team struggled and finished on 150-8 from their allotted overs.

A good start with the ball from the visitors saw two batsmen removed with just two runs on the board, but some resolute play from March's Matt Wilcox and Steve Hinsen ensured the home side cruised to victory in the 42nd over.

Division 1A

AN inspired batting display from Ian Baldwin ensured Fordham II secured a four-wicket win over Needingworth.

In a match that produced more than 450 runs, it was Baldwin who stole the plaudits with an unbeaten knock of 110 that put the home side in the driving seat.

Needingworth opted to bat first and put on a useful 227-7 from their allotted overs, Tom Peters (3-35) and V.J (2-29) starring for Fordham with the ball.

Fordham batted well in reply and, thanks to the good work of Baldwin, were comfortably able to keep up with the five-an-over scoring rate, wrapping up the win with two overs to spare.

BURWELL II produced one of the best batting displays of the week to record a staggering 120-run win over Witcham.

Batting first, Burwell piled on the runs, smashing almost seven runs an over to finish on 276-5 from their 40 allotted overs. Tom Williams knock of 135* proved the stand-out effort with the bat while Tyler Phillips 2-43 was the pick of the bowling efforts for Witcham.

A solid middle order effort for Witcham in reply, gave them some hope of a fightback but aside from a respectable 53 from Andy Sharp, the visitors failed to settle at the crease and were all out for 156.

Tom Jordan's 4-19 was the highlight of the Burwell bowling efforts.

PYMOOR had their first taste of defeat in division 1A after losing by two wickets to Littleport.

Batting first, Pymoor J Russell (62) and L Henselman (60) starred for the visitors on their way to a respectable total of 201-9 from 40 overs. J Leonard (4-44) and P Morris (4-22) led the way for Port with the ball.

Port's A Buxton ran the show in reply for the visitors smashing his way to 106* to guide his side to victory with just four balls and two wickets remaining.

Division 4A

NEWLY promoted Fordham III got their season off to a fine start with an 87-run victory over Somersham II.

Chris Foulds (36) and Nick Poole (33) scored well early on and a late knock of 28 not out from Luke Bowers saw Fordham on to 168-7 at the close of play.

Fordham were electric with the ball and some measured performances from Barry Houghton (4-15) and Olly Mitchell (2-3) ensured Somersham were bowled out for just 81.

WITCHAM II made a stuttering start to the new season as they lost by five wickets to a clinical Wisbech side.

Ian Saberton's 21 capped a lacklustre display with the bat for Witcham, who finished on 80.

Despite a notable three wicket haul from Andrew Badcock, Witcham ran out of runs to defend and Wisbech wrapped up the win inside 20 overs.

Roll of honour

Batsmen

T Williams (Burwell) 135*

I Baldwin (Fordham) 110*

A Buxton (Port) 106*

B King (Ely) 76*

N Mingay (Soham) 66

Bowlers

J White (Little Down) 5-25

B Houghton (Fordham) 4-15

T Jordan (Burwell) 4-19

P Morris (Port) 4-22

J Leonard (Port) 4-44